The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-08
AT OHIO'S CAPITAL.
Governor Gordon Speaks to a
Large Assembly.
HE ANSWERS CHARGES AGAINST HIM

N'ONNSii,
nom Ohio, was asked what he thought would
be the result of the next Tuesdays election in
that state. He replied:
1T is impossible to predict. Both parties
are working and both confident of success
Ohio, as you know, on a strict party vote is re-
publican; bat l know OF many republicans
who are weary of the foolish and damaging Sec
tional hatred which Governor Foraker and
the republican party are seeking to keep alive
and say they will not vote for the republican
candidates"
"How were you received and treated at the
points where you spo1e?"
by the democrats with the greatest consid-
GRAFTON and cor iality, and with respectful at
tention and courtesy by the great body of re-
publicans; but the denunciations and Islanders
by Governor Foraker and portion of the re-
publican press were more violent and gross
than they were fifteen years ago. I announced
in my telegram (Which was published before L
left honey accepting the invitation to 90 to
Ohio. that L should not discuss state issues or
candidates. To this determmation'T strictly
adhered. didnotmention Governor Foraker's
name in any speech; nor did L refer
to him except to say in my speeches
that If he would come to Georgia
would neither malign him while here, nor
before he came, nor after he left. L extended
the same invitation to any other citizen of
Ohio, whether republican or democrat to dis
cuss any public questions before our people. I
assured them that our democratic press and
people would treat them with the courtesy due
by the citizens of our state to those of every
other state in this union.''
"Did you criticize Governor Foraker's adj
ADMINISTRATION %
"No l did not refer to single state issue.
went there solely to speak in the interest of
peace and unity. l endeavored to convince
the people of Ohio, and did convince, think
many OF those who heard me, that this excuse
less abuse of southern people would yet prove
damaging to their own material interests as
well as to the country. / do not care one cent
for the good opinion of Governor Foraker or
OF those who, like him, are too narrow-minded
to understand how our people can be true to
their own self respect and also true to the
union and the flag, and to every legitimate re-
suit OF the war; but / do care q great deal
about the effect of their teachings on the future
of the republic"
'Do those people really believe that we are
disloyal to the union and that we Cypress the
negro?"
Some of them who hear nothing and see
nothing except from such men as Governor
Foraker, and such papers as the Commercial
Gazette, do believe it. But Governor Foraker
knows that he misrepresents us, but it is his
only chance for reelection. They do not pre-
tend to answer the arguments of the stubborn
facts presented by me i'll the vast accumulation
of property by the blacks the increase of col
ored school children from little over 5000 I'M
der radical rule to over 122 900 under our dem
ocratic rule, and the large number of colored
with Ohio; or the rapid increase of
colored population in Georgia. To all
facts Governor Foraloer's only reply
is SANDER of myself as kulklux and sense
less TRADE about the the greeting of Mr.. Davis
by the old soldiers in Macon.
"Why, sir! the proof, (and it is proofs posi-
represent and to fasify every word % and
| act is found in the disgusting falsehood, sent
| out from Cleveland in reference to General
| Morgan and myself. The marvel is that they
| would belle the facts of scene which occurred
| in the presence of five thousand witnesses. 1t
was simply this: General Morgan, brave
and able federal soldier of Ohio, had paid me a
compliment far beyond my deserts and con-
Guided with the declaration that if foreign
war should occur he and L would march to-
gether under the same flag against the COM
mon foe AS he stood near me I arose
| and gave him my hand When the
whole audience wildly cheered, and again and
again cheered. This is the whole of it. Now,
the radical sheet at Cleveland saw that this
public pledge by myself to General Morgan of
the federal army was a crushing rcbuke to the
falsehoods which filled its columns, and it de-
termined to counterfeit the effect, and resorted
to barefaced falsehood to accomplish it. SO
that paper contained the nextmorning the dis
gushing stuff which has been telegraphed over
the country"
General Morgan was interviewed by an En-
quirer correspondent at his home in Mt Yer
non, Ohio.
"What kind of meeting did Gordon have
in Cleyeland?" he was asked.
at was the most glorious indoor meeting I
ever saw. Gordon magnetized his vast audi
ence, and they were wild with enthusiasm.
After he had finished speaking he had a grand
ovation, and was kept shaking hands until
midnight"
"They say he kissed you squarely on the
mouth"
After a hearty laugh the general said
rhat story is too silly even for fools to believe.
When L alluded to the gray and the blue being
united under the starry banner of the union,
and the certainty that if war came the men of
the south and north would march shoulder to
shoulder against common enemy, there was
great cheering, and iamid the cheers Gordon
advanced and grasped me cordially by the
hand and the cheering was renewed in tenfold
force, and that is all there was of it. Governor
Gordon is not only one of the most eloquent,
but one OF the most dignified men in our coun-
try"